Horse logging course

A natural solution to woodlot management

Where an old-fashioned approach paves the way for sustainable land management.

Throughout our horse logging course, you’ll learn how to selectively harvest trees without the use of heavy machinery. As we train you in crucial horse logging skills, like driving horses, we also cover all facets of woodlot management, including government regulations, licenses, and sustainable land management. If you own your own woodlot, are seeking a new career path, or simply want to learn more about restorative forestry, our horse logging course will provide you with the practical skills and fundamental knowledge that you need.

Horse logging is a rare skill in today’s world - one that hearkens back to the days of pioneers and mountain explorers. And while driving horses instead of driving heavy machinery may be old-fashioned, logging with horses provides a responsible, effective method for woodlot management. In our horse logging course, we provide you with the practical skills and confidence that you’ll need to use this tried-and-true technique to selectively harvest trees. Our experienced instructors will train you in the physical skills and mental awareness that are imperative to successful horse logging.

Our horse logging course trains you in the following skills:

Crucial horse-handling skills, including shoeing horses

How to harness both a single horse and team of horses

Safe and effective techniques for driving horses with long reins

How to correctly set up and use all necessary horse logging gear

We also include a comprehensive education in woodlot management and restorative forestry practices:

Explanation of government regulations and licenses

How to adhere to requirements on the national, provincial, and local levels

How to promote the health of forests and your woodlot by identifying and removing diseased trees

How to create long-term goals that will promote the health of forests and provide steady, sustainable income for years to come

Throughout our horse logging course, we we also share best practices for management and planning- two things that form the foundation for successful, sustainable horse logging. With this knowledge, you can create a comprehensive, long-term woodlot management plan that promotes the health of the forest and establishes a sustainable, steady stream of income.

A natural solution to woodlot management

Horse logging is different from any other kind of logging. It naturally lends itself to sustainable forestry practices and thoughtful woodlot management. The physical impact that logging with horses has on the environment is minimally disruptive. The footfalls produced by horse logging do not damage the forest soil and root systems in the way that rubber tires and heavy machinery do. The compact size of horses, compared to heavy machinery, prevents collateral damage to surrounding trees, even as you’re driving horses through dense forests. Throughout our horse logging course, we focus on the skillful application of proven techniques so you can make the most of the unique environmental benefits that accompany logging with horses.

Real world experience

During our horse logging course, you’ll have the opportunity to observe what woodlot management looks like on an active, sustainably managed Parcel of Crown Land. As part of British Columbia’s approach to forest management, Chilcotin Holidays is responsible for the care and sustainable use of specific forestry woodlots within our operating territory. Observing firsthand what holding a Woodlot License entails is an invaluable opportunity. We couple this learning experience with the real-world application of horse logging on our woodlot. Both of these learning tools powerfully prepare graduates of our horse logging course to pursue and reach their own goals in forestry and woodlot management.

Highlights

Train in stunning wilderness, where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow

Best practices for pairing horses into a team and matching teams to drivers

Pulling larger load with a single horse

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the ranch

Overnight in student accommodations on ranch property

Day 3

Today, we spend time practicing and honing skills from previous days:

Chainsaw use, including maintenance and practice

Pulling logs, including harnessing horses and driving teams with long reins

More logging tasks and procedures

Demonstration and practice of more advanced skills:

Trimming horse hooves and fitting of horseshoes

Shoeing logging horses

Pulling larger loads with teams

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the ranch

Overnight in student accommodations on ranch property

Day 4

Discussion of government regulations and licenses

Introduction to woodlot work, through demonstrations and hands-on practice in the following areas:

Effective use of commands and controls for single horses and teams

Risk assessment and avoidance of dangerous scenarios for both teams and drivers

Additional practice driving teams and pulling loads

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the ranch

Overnight in student accommodations on ranch property

Day 5

Overview and discussion of industry topics, including:

Woodlot management

Adherence to national, provincial, and local industry requirements

Identification and removal of diseased trees

Additional practice working the horses and pulling loads to correct habits and build skills while working in the woodlot

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the ranch

Overnight in student accommodations on ranch property

Day 6

Overview and discussion of industry topics, including:

Forestry and woodlot management goals

Sustainable land management

Restorative forestry

Establishment of long-term goals to promote the health of forests and provide steady, sustainable income

Additional practice working the horses and pulling loads to improve techniques and master skill sets

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the ranch

Overnight in student accommodations on ranch property

Day 7

Breakfast

Draft your own Woodlot Management Plan, with input from instructors

Complete horse logging test

Farewell lunch and graduation

Depart from ranch

**Please Note: Our programs are subject to the unpredictable weather and terrain conditions that come with a mountainous environment. And while we do our best to stick to the itinerary, there are times when the current conditions and needs of the group require us to adjust schedules, accommodations, etc. This is part of any true wilderness experience, however, and we are well equipped to adapt the adventure to changing conditions.

AVAILABLE DATES

START DATE

END DATE

April 22nd

April 28th

ENQUIRY & BOOKING

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